How to Check CD Player Laser Output

[Brad]

Hi,

I service TVs & VCRs. My mom asked me to check
her Emerson CKD5809 clock radio/CD player. It won't
play a CD. I cleaned the lens (looked clean) and checked
operation. The CD disk spins. The sled moves and I
can see up/down movement of the laser unit.

Do you know a technique or device for determining if there
is output of the laser? Note: What I use for VCRs & Remotes
doesn't respond.

Thanks in advance, Brad

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[Michael Black]

Hi,

I service TVs & VCRs. My mom asked me to check
her Emerson CKD5809 clock radio/CD player. It won't
play a CD. I cleaned the lens (looked clean) and checked
operation. The CD disk spins. The sled moves and I
can see up/down movement of the laser unit.

Do you know a technique or device for determining if there
is output of the laser? Note: What I use for VCRs & Remotes
doesn't respond.

Well you read the FAQ, http://www.repairfaq.org Sam goes
into what's involved in the thing even moving, and I suspect
the explanation will help.

Michael

 

[Sam Goldwasser]

I think you've already diagnosed the problem. They are built about
as cheaply possible.

They probably should if they simply read IR, but the laser will only be for
any length of time if there is a disc in place with component units (not
portables).

Well you read the FAQ, http://www.repairfaq.org Sam goes
into what's involved in the thing even moving, and I suspect
the explanation will help.

Right.

In general, most people will see the output of the laser as a tiny red
dot of light in the lens if safely viewed from an oblique angle a foot
or more away. This won't tell you whether the output power is acceptable
though.

--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/
Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/
+Lasers | Sam's Laser FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/lasersam.htm
| Mirror Sites: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_mirror.html

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I had one that had an adjustment on the laser board.
when I adjusted it I could get some playback but it was bad enough
that I couldn't make it workable.
Never replaced as JVC made me not want to buy one at $98.

 

[PhattyMo]

I think you've already diagnosed the problem. They are built about
as cheaply possible.

Bingo.

I repaired a CD player alarm clock for a friend..and was a little
suprised at what I found,but not much.

Complaint #1 It hums,always has.
Complaint #2 It suddenly quit reading/playing CD's.

The 16V filter capacitors had buldged,and dried up..
Sure enough,the raw voltage across them was closer to 18.5-19Vdc.
Pop in a couple 25V caps,and it was golden.
Removed the hum she had been complaining about also.It had been humming
since the day she bought it.